Patch Morning Briefing: GOP Wins In Kansas; United's Stock Falls; FBI Surveilled Trump Adviser

Good morning! It's Wednesday, which means your week is almost halfway through. Here's what you need to know to start your day.

Republicans Eke Out Victor In Kansas

Republican Ron Estes is headed to Congress after he won a special election against Democrat James Thompson Tuesday night in what was widely seen as the first electoral test for President Trump since his stunning victory in November. In deep red, rural Kansas, Republicans figured they'd have no trouble holding the seat, but some polling suggested the underdog Thompson would have a fighting chance — and in the end he lost only by single digits. (Patch)

FBI Obtained FISA Warrant To Monitor Former Trump Adviser Carter Page

The FBI obtained a secret court order last summer to monitor an adviser to presidential candidate Donald Trump, part of an investigation into possible links between Russia and the campaign, law enforcement and other U.S. officials told The Washington Post. The scoop by the Post is a major development in the FBI investigation into the 2016 presidential campaign. It reveals the clearest evidence to date that a Trump campaign adviser was in touch with Russian agents. (Patch)

United Airlines' Stock Falls As It Scrapes Together Apology

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz vowed to "fix what's broken so this never happens again" in the second public apology the exec has made in the aftermath of a passenger being violently pulled from an overbooked Chicago-to-Louisville flight. The passenger, a doctor from Kentucky, was dragged bloody from his seat after he refused to deplane in a viral video that ignited widespread criticism of the airline and the police. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Police Investigating the Death of Rock Guitarist J. Geils (Patch)

Is Your Fingerprint-Locked Cell Phone Really Secure? (Patch)

Live Scorpion Found In Giant Produce Bag, Chevy Chase Couple Says (Patch)

World War II Veteran Finally Receives Army Medals (Patch)

Sean Spicer Says Hitler Didn't Use Chemical Weapons, Igniting Backlash

"You had someone who is despicable as Hitler who didn't even sink to using chemical weapons," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, apparently forgetting that the dictator used chemical weapons on a terrifying scale at concentration camps during the Holocaust. And when Spicer tried to "clarify" these comments, he only made the situation worse. (Patch)

Hunger Strike At Northwest Detention Center: Over 400 ICE Detainees Participate

A hunger strike is underway at the Northwest Detention Center, a holding facility for people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE has responded that it will continue to offer the detainees three meals per day. (Patch)

Kennedy Announces Gov Bid While Driving — Raising Eyebrows

Her announcement, in which she alternates between keeping her eyes on the camera and the road, comes during distracted driving awareness month. (Patch)

Mitt Romney Really Did Have 'Binders Full of Women'

The soundbite from the 2012 presidential campaign was rooted in two very real – and very heavy – binders. (Patch)

NC Lawmakers Seek To Invalidate Same Sex Marriage Through New Law

Three GOP lawmakers are seeking to nullify a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, making same-sex unions in the state a thing of the past. The move comes Tuesday, less than two weeks after state lawmakers narrowly repealed the contentious and discriminatory HB2 “bathroom bill” that prompted widespread economic hemorrhaging throughout the state.

Want $14K In Extra Cash? Move To These 5 Cities Where Living Is Easy

These are best — and worst — places to live when it comes to being able to afford the finer things in life. How does your city stack up? (Patch)

This Day In History

1945 — President Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office, to be succeeded by President Harry Truman

Famous Birthdays

1971 — Nicholas Brendon, American actor and writer

1979 — Claire Danes, American actress

Correction: This article originally stated incorrectly stated which president died in 1945.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images News/Getty Images